So my youtube account has been closed after a series of copyright claims by one of the companies that goes around doing that. Thus no video as I try to sort it out with them. They did get back to my email and I should get a call in w/ a relevant person shortly. We'll see how that goes.

Substitution notes: Status quo, mostly. Smith and Toussaint are obviously the top two backs this instant. Odoms is still an infrequent participant because of the cast; Dileo appears to be in front of Jackson and Jerald Robinson (who we still haven't seen) beyond Hemingway/Roundtree/Gallon on the depth chart.

Schofield got in a bit, once as a goal-line tight end and once spotting Barnum late. I believe that was a shoe issue.

Formation notes: A heavier dose of shotgun than Borges was calling for for obvious reasons. Michigan's using a little motion from the gun now, something RR never did, and this semi-stack formation is making somewhat frequent appearances:

That's still shotgun trips to me, FWIW.

Show? Depleted show.

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M35

1

10

I-Form twins

2

1

2

4-4 under

Run

Iso

Toussaint

8

Running at the backside gap left by the under shift. Good combo block by Molk(+1) and Omameh(+1) kicks out a DT and gets Omameh on to the MLB. Huyge(+1) locks out playside DT; McColgan(+1) crumbles WLB. Toussaint can just go straight upfield.

RUN+: Molk, Omameh, Huyge, McColgan

RUN-:

M43

2

2

Shotgun 2TE

1

2

2

4-5 under

Run

Pin and pull zone

Robinson

4

Both safeties in the box. Michigan goes to the pin and pull we've seen a few times that is apparently their preferred outside running play. EMU slants to it and prevents any of their guys from getting sealed(RPS -1). They have this killed, basically, except the backside DT gets way upfield and stumbles when he should be tackling Robinson on his slow-as-hell cutback. No points for anyone. Lucky. Q: why not throw the long handoff here? Or a hitch or something?

M47

1

10

Ace 3-wide

1

1

3

Nickel under

Pass

Tunnel screen

Robinson

14

Denard pulls it down. I'm not sure why since the WR seems open. Hesitant after last week, or can he see this is going to get crushed because a DT is going to release right into it? I guess I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Screen gone he's got guys in his face and Denards it for a first down. (SCR, N/A, N/A. Target: Gallon)

RUN+: Robinson(3)

RUN-:

O39

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

4-4 under

Run

Zone read dive

Toussaint

4

Linebackers are already sprinting at the mesh point, so this is tough. Backside DE forms up; correct handoff. Omameh and Huyge(+1) execute a good combo block on the local DT, kicking him out. Omameh is about to release into the second level when the sprinting linebacker is in his face. Omameh manages to get a shove on him. Unblocked MLB sitting in the hole now; Toussaint cuts back, where Huyge's block and the delay on the backside DE by the read fake get him a few yards. RPS -1.

RUN+: Omameh, Huyge

RUN-:

O35

2

6

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

Okie?

Run

QB power

Robinson

1

No one in a three point stance here as EMU gets fancy. Michigan runs power at it and has a huge hole... and a guy running at Robinson right behind the down-blocking Barnum(-2). Barnum's fault, sure, but also an RPS -1. The other blocks are easy by design here so no pluses. RUN-: Barnum(2)

O34

3

5

Shotgun 2-back

2

0

3

Nickel press

Pass

Dumpoff

Smith

Inc

Huyge(-1) beaten by the EMU DE. Bodes unwell. Robinson does have enough time to get to a second read after he doesn't like the first. Why? Not sure. Hemingway had separation and was running an open in for a first down, but the two(!) spies EMU is running are reading his eyes and might leap to bat it or worse. He checks to Smith running an out in front of a linebacker. Throw is a little bit off but Smith just drops this. (CA, 3, protection ½, Huyge)

O34

4

5

Shotgun trips

1

0

3

Nickel press

Pass

Hitch

Hemingway

Int

EMU sends two up the middle and it's picked up well enough by the rest of the line; Smith(-1) gets chucked on his block attempt and only delays his guy briefly. Denard throws a hitch to a pretty well covered Hemingway. He's got a window if he throws it a bit upfield; instead it's way too far inside and the EMU DB has a play on the ball. To his credit, he makes it. (IN, 0, protection 2/3, Smith –1)

Drive Notes: Interception, 0-0, 9 min 1st Q. Both of these last two passes were accurate-ish but made more difficult by tight coverage.

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M1

1

10

I-Form

2

1

2

4-4 even

Run

Power off tackle

Toussaint

1

Koger(-2) stood up by the DE he's assigned to on the goal line; DE fights his way inside of him and completely prevents any hole outside. Toussaint sees this and starts cutting backside. He may have a hole but Koger's block was so poor his guy comes up to tackle. RUN-: Koger(2)

M2

2

9

I-Form

2

1

2

4-4 even

Pass

Hitch

Roundtree

Inc

Batted back in his face. (BA, 0, protection 2/2)

M2

3

9

Shotgun trips

1

0

3

Nickel

Pass

Rollout sack

Robinson

0

Smith(-2) whiffs his cut on the edge and these routes, which all look long, do not have a chance to develop. Denard steps up and is swarmed. (PR, 0, protection 0/2, Smith -2)

Drive Notes: Punt, 0-0, 3 min 1st Q

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M21

1

10

I-Form Big

2

2

1

4-4 under

Run

Power off tackle

Toussaint

-1

Moore(-2) is blown up by the DE opposite him, who plows into the backfield and removes blockers and any semblance of a hole. Also they're running from the I against nine in the box. I remember handing out RPS -1s for these in the DeBord era. RUN-: Moore(2)

M20

2

11

Ace

1

2

2

4-3 even

Pass

PA Wheel

Koger

Inc

Yay second and 11 play action from a formation we average 2 YPC from. EMU has two deep safeties, a rarity, and the linebackers don't bite at all. One of them gets a chuck on Koger just as Denard releases the ball on his wheel route. This is pretty awesome: Koger fake blocks for three seconds and then releases and the EMU LB is right there waiting for him. I think this (no PI) is legit since the contact started before the ball was in the air and was not maintained too long. Actually a good throw without the coverage. The rare (CA, 0, protection 2/2, RPS -1)

M20

3

11

Shotgun trips

1

0

4

Nickel

Pass

Panic

???

Inc

Four man rush on which Omameh and Molk block a guy, and then both stop blocking him. In Molk's case it was to peel off and block a guy who had beaten Barnum; Omameh blocks air. Denard is pressured, avoids a sack, avoids another sack, steps up, and rifles a ball eight yards over someone's head. Not even sure who. Tacopants special. (IN, 0, protection 0/2, Barnum -1, Omameh -1)

Drive Notes: Punt, 0-3, 13 min 2nd Q

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M3

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

4-3 even

Run

Zone read keeper

Robinson

52

Why everyone has forgotten how to defend this I'll never know. Basic zone read, DE crashes down, TE heads for OLB, other LBs rush to frontside of play, Denard in open field. He accelerates past two guys and rips off a big one. Tree gets a great block AAAAAH. RPS +3.

RUN+: Robinson(3), Roundtree(2)

RUN-:

O45

1

10

Shotgun 2TE

1

2

2

4-3 under

Run

Down G

Robinson

4

EMU DE does a great job recognizing the pull and backing out once he's left unblocked; he drops out, gets wide, picks off Toussaint, and forces the play inside. +2 that guy. Since Omameh and Molk have both pulled the backside D is running down the line—Barnum has no shot—and tackles from behind. They still get some yards because there's no one in front of Denard thanks to Huyge(+1) getting a good seal on the other NT and Koger(+1) improvising to peel off and block a linebacker after the DE exited stage left.

RUN+: Huyge, Koger

RUN-:

O41

2

6

Shotgun trips TE

1

1

3

Nickel

Run

QB power

Robinson

-2

Barnum(-3) pulls and inexplicably runs by the blitzing LB, who plasters Denard. If that's picked up he might be able to dance for considerable yardage.

O43

3

8

Shotgun trips

1

1

3

Nickel press

Run

QB draw

Robinson

22

This is a complete fiasco (RPS -1). EMU sends two blitzers; Michigan lets one through and picks up another at the expense of letting a DT through unblocked. Smith(+1) picks off one LB, and Denard(+3) jets past that DT—lucky. I think Barnum was right there to get the LB—closest to the play—and Lewan(-1) had to slide to make the far side DE the threat. After Denard passes the DT he's got smooth sailing since Molk(+2) and Omameh(+2) have kicked the crap out of two defenders. Denard cuts back for extra yardage, then fumbles(-3) because he's not carrying it high and tight.

RUN+: Robinson(3), Molk(2), Omameh(2), Smith

RUN-: Lewan, Robinson(3)

O21

1

10

Shotgun twins twin TE

1

2

2

4-3 even

Pass

PA TE flat

Koger

12

EMU in man; guy on Koger blasts into one of his own guys and falls. Wide open. Denard's getting quick pressure and flicks a soft one to Koger; he turns it up for good yardage. (CA, 3, protection N/A, RPS +1)

O9

1

G

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

4-3 even

Run

QB power

Robinson

0

Denard checks into a bad play; EMU slants to this. Molk(-1) senses the slant and tries to pass his guy off to Omameh(-1), who is unprepared. This is for no purpose since Lewan has handled the backside DE. Robinson cuts back right into this dude and gets planted. RUN-: Omameh, Molk

O9

2

G

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

Nickel

Pass

PA quick seam

Koger

9

Zone read fake into a quick seam. LBs take one step to the LOS and that's all M needs. Good timing, catch, touchdown. (CA, 3, protection N/A, RPS +1)

Drive Notes: Touchdown, 7-3, 9 min 2nd Q

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M13

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

4-3 even

Run

Zone read dive

Toussaint

5

EMU scrape exchange does not sucker Denard; he hands off. EMU slants playside; Toussaint(+1) cuts behind it. Unfortunately, Koger is blocking the backside DE along with Huyge so the MLB is unblocked and can react to the cutback. Need one of those guys to hit it up in the hole and Toussaint is into the secondary. I want to minus one of Koger or Huyge for a missed assignment but no idea who. Ohh: team. RUN-: Team

RUN+: Omameh, Toussaint

RUN-: Team

M18

2

5

Shotgun 2TE

1

2

2

4-4 under

Run

Pin and pull zone

Robinson

-2

All right, I'm officially annoyed at this play. It's crap. It's hard to execute, never gives you cutbacks, and doesn't allow Molk to reach fools. Why not use the stretch? Here a blitzer off the edge gets past three blockers, forcing a cutback, where hard-flowing EMU defenders cut Denard down. RPS -2. RUN-: Shaw(2)

Omameh and Molk pull; Huyge(-1) ignores the playside DT. That's a problem, but it's kind of his job since he's pulling (RPS –1). DT gets into the pullers way fast. Denard has to hold up, reverse field, and beat everyone to the backside of the play. He breaks a kid's ankles out there for fun. No video : (

RUN+: Robinson(3)

RUN-: Huyge(2)

M37

1

10

Ace 3-wide

1

1

3

???

Run

Down G

Smith

38

Finally they execute this stuff correctly, or at least I think so. It's possible Omameh still screwed up but we come to the play late as Lewan(+2) is plowing the playside DE inside and pullers are pulling. Barnum(+1) nails a linebacker. Koger(+2) kicks out a defensive end authoritatively. Smith(+1)... runs behind this stuff. Molk has no one to block, even. Hemingway(+2) plows an EMU DB into the sideline, allowing Smith to cut back behind him(+1) again, wherupon Molk(+1) whacks some pursuers. Keys here are Koger and Lewan and Barnum.

RUN+: Smith, Lewan(2), Koger, Barnum, Molk, Hemingway

RUN-:

O25

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

4-3 even

Run

QB draw

Robinson

3

This opens up beautifully as EMU's dudes get way upfield (RPS +1) but Robinson cuts it backside when he's got Tousssaint leading him through a huge hole frontside. This kills all the blocking angles.

RUN+: Molk

RUN-: Robinson(2)

O22

2

7

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

4-3 even

Run

Zone read dive

Toussaint

11

This is a lovely little run. EMU WLB is scraping on Robinson, albeit slowly. EMU is slanting over the top. Omameh(+1) pancakes his guy and Huyge(+1) controls his, shooting him down the line; Toussaint(+2) reads the blocking and has the darting agility to cut back behind the Huyge block, avoid the scraping LB's tackle as he recovers, come back inside Molk's block of the MLB, and almost burst into the secondary before an ankle tackle takes him down.

RUN+: Toussaint(2), Huyge, Omameh

RUN-:

O11

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

Nickel

Run

QB power

Robinson

11

EMU slants hard and M adjusts well. Playside DT slants past Lewan; Barnum(+1) finds him and kicks him down the line. He dead. Molk(+1) buries the other guy. Lewan(+2) releases straight downfield and clobberates the MLB, but it's Koger(+2) who wins block of the play by adjusting to a DE slanting under him and pounding him inside to pancake. From there it's easy.

RUN+: Koger(2), Lewan(2), Barnum, Molk

RUN-:

Drive Notes: Touchdown, 14-3, 39 sec 2nd Q.

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M17

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

4-3 even

Run

QB power read

Robinson

8

Insert scare quotes around read in that play description—I don't think this is an actual read. Line blocks down and Huyge pulls around, aiming for the hole between Barnum and Lewan. Both those guys get great kickout blocks(+1 each). Molk(+1) is aided by the sweep action that sucks the MLB a step the wrong way; he gets position and spends a long time controlling him. Huyge(+1) picks off the other LB and Denard has acres. Safety comes down quickly to hold the play down. RPS +1 for the ease of these blocks thanks to the misdirection.

RUN+: Molk, Lewan, Huyge, Barnum, Omameh

RUN-:

M25

2

2

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

4-3 over

Run

Zone read dive

Toussaint

0

EMU has a playcall on to defeat this play, with two guys on the backside of the defense. One heads right for Robinson; handoff. The inside guy hands right for Toussaint, who has to cut back because the over-shifted DL is slanting under the blocks. Toussaint gets nailed by the DT. RPS -2. No chance of this getting yards.

M25

3

2

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

4-3 over

Run

QB power

Robinson

2

Running at a crowded area. Adequate kickout from Koger; Omameh is also doing his job on a DT. Huyge(-1) gets chucked by the playside DE, who is now sitting playside where Barnum and Toussaint are trying to block guys. Denard cuts back behind this directly into a charging safety, who gives him a stiff shot. Denard manages to spin off it and just gets the first down.

RUN+: Robinson, Omameh

RUN-: Huyge

M27

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

Nickel under

Pass

Wheel oh noes

Toussaint

Inc

Draw fake into play action. Denard doesn't have much time because there's an unblocked DE in on him; he has to step back and loft one. Linebackers have sucked up, though, and Toussaint's wheel is open for a nice chunk. Denard gets it to him but Toussaint drops it. He then gets lit up because either the throw is too lofted (probably not) or late (probably); still, this should have been 15 yards or so. (CA, 3, protection N/A, RPS +1)

M27

2

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

4-3 over

Run

Zone read dive

Smith

27

Again Smith is blessed with acres of space as EMU blitzes a linebacker to the frontside of the play; Huyge(+1) kicks him way upfield. Omameh(+1) controls the DT to that side and there's a big gap that opens with no one there to contain. Smith(+1) reads it and is off, his little legs bumping and his little head waving back and forth as he just tries to go so fast. And it does seem like he's outrunning this EMU safety just before he uses the last bits of his angle to tackle. RPS+2; there are like three dudes on the backside surrounding Robinson by the time Smith breaks outside.

RUN+: Omameh, Huyge, Smith

RUN-:

O46

1

10

Shotgun trips

1

0

4

4-3 even

Run

Zone read dive

Smith

5

LBs slide to the Denard side of a hypothetical zone read. This is a spot where there should be an auto-check to a bubble. EMU line slants playside; backside DE pulls up for contain and Denard hands off. Barnum(+1) is not going to seal his guy and so adjusts, blowing him down the line and providing a cutback lane. Omameh(+1) and Molk(+1) blow up their dudes; Lewan(-1) gets a second level block but that guy pops off to the interior to tackle.

RUN+: Barnum, Omameh, Molk

RUN-: Lewan

O41

2

5

Shotgun trips TE

1

1

3

3-4 base

Run

Zone read keeper

Robinson

8

And then EMU forgets how to defend this again. EMLOS is kicked out by Koger; playside LB blitzes at the RB. Backside DT gets so hammered by Huyge(+1) that Omameh gets nailed by that block as he tries to get out on the MLB, so he can scrape. Robinson sees this and tries to pop outside Koger, does, stops when the contain comes, pops back inside the now-helmetless Koger(+1 for picking up another block), and shoots up for a first down. I think he basically had the first down if he just slams it up, but +1 for entertainment value alone. RPS +1.

RUN+: Robinson, Koger, Huyge

RUN-:

O33

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

4-3 under

Pass

PA TE flat

Koger

Inc

Don't like this PA because it's stretch action. Michigan hasn't run a stretch this year. The backside LB does not bite and backs off. Koger is still open; Denard wings it high. Would have been five yards and an instant tackle if accurate. (IN, 2, protection N/A)

O33

2

10

I-Form twins

1

2

2

4-4 even

Pass

Fake dive to pitch

Smith

14

I have no idea why this should work. It's second and ten. If M hands it to the fullback, EMU OLB, you don't have to care. Unblocked EMLOS sucks in; playside LB does too; Lewan(+1) kills that guy; Molk(+1) gets the other LB, doesn't really matter because the EMLOS is now chasing Smith outside. Once on the corner he gets a fantastic mountain goat block from Odoms(+2) and an almost as good block from Gallon(+1) to pick up the first. He's actually tackled by the pursuing DE; he gets through that and he could be going a long way. RPS +1.

RUN+: Odoms(2), Lewan, Molk, Gallon

RUN-:

O19

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

4-3 even

Run

Zone read dive

Toussaint

12

Opens up as Barnum(+1) blows the DT past his intended spot and Robinson holds the EMLOS outside. Molk(+1) and Lewan(+1) get linebackers and this opens up cavernously. Toussaint makes an inexplicable decision to cut back outside instead of trying to shoot past the safety for the endzone but makes up for it by spinning through three(!) EMU tacklers and picking up the first.

RUN+: Barnum, Molk, Lewan, Toussaint

RUN-:

O7

1

G

Shotgun trips TE

1

1

3

4-3 over

Run

QB power

Robinson

0

Molk(+1) and Barnum(+1) seal and erase the backside DL; big cutback hole. EMU has overloaded the frontside and prevented a gap from forming despite decent blocking out there; Omameh(-1) does not adjust to the reality of the play and runs up Lewan's back; Robinson(-2) misses an obvious cutback lane that would be six points.

RUN+: Molk, Barnum

RUN-: Omameh, Robinson(2)

O7

2

G

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

4-3 even

Pass

PA rollout scramble

Robinson

6

Again: stretch action we only use for PA. This is the same play we scored that TD with in the first RR game except this time instead of Shaw releasing into the flat it's Koger. Opponents have this scouted and Koger is blanketed, as is Grady. Robinson engages Tate Mode, starts running around like a lunatic, totally fails to see Toussaint alone in the endzone, and runs down to the one. That's just how he do. (SCR, N/A, N/A)

RUN+: Robinson, Lewan, Barnum

RUN-:

O1

3

G

Goal line

2

0

3

Goal line

Run

FB dive

Toussaint

1

The third TE is actually Schofield, lined up at LT while Lewan lines up next to Huyge on the right. Borges loves FB dives from the one and orders one up; Toussaint leaps over the pile before EMU defenders can react.

Drive Notes: Touchdown, 21-3, 9 min 3rd Q

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M25

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

4-3 over

Run

QB draw

Robinson

0

More of a last year play than the power stuff we've gotten a lot of; Rawls(-1) is the RB and his lead block is running straight into the secondary. Omameh(-1) is shoved back and can't get much of a handle on his DT; Koger(-1) runs straight up his back instead of adjusting, and Denard runs into Koger. Last year these QB draw-type plays were MANBALL plays with both DTs getting doubled, and usually blown off the ball... this draw action is a little goofy given the context. RUN-: Omameh, Rawls, Koger

M25

2

10

Shotgun trips TE

1

1

3

4-3 under

Run

Zone read keeper

Robinson

5

I don't understand defenses this year! DE crashes down, no scraper, pull, problems for D. The playside LB does get outside Lewan, forcing a cutback that's relevant because Molk got confused because he had no one to block, looked around, and ended up not taking the overhang guy to the short side. That guy tackles. RPS +1

RUN+: Robinson

RUN-: Molk

M30

3

5

Shotgun 2TE

1

2

2

4-3 even

Pass

Drag

Gallon

18

Gallon motions in from the outside to more of a slot-type position. EMU sends five on a zone blitz; picked up. Denard has a great pocket and finds Gallon on his drag in front of the zone. Gallon grabs the ball, runs through a tackle, and picks up a nice gain. (CA, 3, protection 3/3)

M48

1

10

Ace 3-wide

1

1

3

4-3 under

Run

Pin and pull zone

Smith

5

Argh. The totally unblocked NT follows Molk's pull, causes Molk to peel off to block. Unblocked playside DE takes out the other puller. Lewan(+2) got a great sealing block that gives the weakside LB a terrible choice; he goes upfield and around and erases himself, except he doesn't because a filling safety forces Smith back inside and gets him. This gets five yards with great play from virtually the entire O. RPS -1.

RUN+: Lewan(2), Smith, Molk

RUN-:

O47

2

5

Ace 3-wide

1

1

3

4-3 under

Pass

Tunnel screen

Gallon

1

This never works. You know what would be more effective than this? Throwing it directly to Gallon. His corner is ten yards off him. RPS -1. Also EMU zone blitzes such that they have a DL in a short zone right in front of this. No chance; Gallon does well to get a yard and gets lit up for his trouble. (CA, 3, screen)

O48

3

4

Shotgun 4-wide

1

1

3

4-3 even

Pass

Scramble

Robinson

19

EMU sends five; picked up. They're in man behind it, so when Omameh blasts the DT way upfield and a lane opens it's easy for Denard to pick up the first. RPS +1.

RUN+: Robinson, Omameh

RUN-:

O29

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

4-3 under

Run

Zone read dive

Smith

6

Blitzer off the corner for contain; Robinson hands it off. Another guy on the edge is there for the cutback and gets inside of Koger, but it's not his fault. Lewan(+1) gets a good block to shove the slanting DL down the line and Smith(+1) sees the lane, hitting it for decent yardage. EMU had a good call on and M still got yards. RPS: confused.

RUN+: Smith, Lewan

RUN-:

O23

2

4

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

4-3 even

Pass

PA Rollout comeback

Roundtree

Inc

More PA that uses stretch action M never runs. DE out in Robinson's face because he knows Rawls isn't getting the ball. Robinson forms up and has to throw; it's upfield of Roundtree and not a super great throw but he has to get it away from the DB and this isn't that difficult a catch. It's a 2, but with a guy in your face a 16 yard 2 is okay. The real problem is Hemingway was wiiide open for a TD because of a bust and Robinson missed him. Guy in his face, though. (CA, 2, protection N/A, RPS -1)

O23

3

4

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

Nickel

Run

QB iso

Robinson

4

Schofield in. This is closer to last year's play. Molk(+1) and Schofield(+1) double the NT and proceed to drive him back. Molk(+1) then peels off to nail the MLB. The play seems to be going off tackle behind Omameh(-1) but he just passively sits and accepts the opponent like it's a draw. Last year he'd be doubling with the tackle. Denard has to cut behind Omameh, is hesitant, and then hits it up; Lewan(-1) did not control his guy and he comes off to tackle at the sticks.

RUN+: Molk(2), Schofield

RUN-: Lewan, Omameh

O19

1

10

Ace 3-wide

1

1

3

4-3 even

Run

Pin and pull zone

Smith

0

Clown show: Omameh(-2) pulls and gets three yards upfield, blocking no one ever. Molk was trying to pull too and couldn't because doing so would let the NT into the backfield. Two unblocked LBs tackle Smith at the LOS. RPS -2.RUN-: Omameh(2), Koger

O19

2

10

Shotgun trips TE

1

1

3

4-3 even

Pass

Oh Noes

Dileo

19

QB iso to throw, you know the drill. (CA, 3, protection N/A, RPS +3)

Drive Notes: Touchdown, 28-3, 1 min 3rd Q

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M12

1

10

Shotgun trips

1

0

4

4-3 even

Run

Zone read dive

Shaw

3

Linebackers crashing on handoff, whatever, 28-3, no more RPS. Still think Denard should keep since his contain guy is getting nailed by Dileo; the handoff ain't right. Barnum does okay with his guy but he's slanting; cutback. The contain guy destined for Shaw thumps him. Any yards available because of Lewan.

RUN+: Lewan

RUN-: Robinson

M15

2

7

Shotgun trips

1

0

4

4-3 under

Pass

PA Hitch

Jackson

12

This is the kind of thing I am talking about. PA zone read sucks six EMU defenders in because it is an inside zone and Robinson has his choice of targets. Dileo looks tantalizing again, but Denard goes with Jackson on a five-yard hitch. Denard hits him, Jackson makes an orbit step around the defender trying to tackle and picks up the first. Vintage 2010. (CA, 3, protection N/A)

M27

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

4-3 over

Run

QB power

Robinson

9

An accidental combo block from Huyge, who is taking on the playside DE, and Barnum, who is pulling on the power. Huyge blocks the DE and slides off him. He finds himself downfield, so he blocks the MLB who has slid playside. Barnum(+1) comes around to kick out the DE who slid off Huyge. This gives Denard a lane because Omameh(+1) sealed the playside DT away. Denard(+1) sees the lane and makes the cut for near first down yardage.

RUN+: Huyge, Barnum, Omameh, Robinson

RUN-:

M36

2

1

Ace 3-wide

1

1

3

4-3 over

Run

Pin and pull zone

Toussaint

-1

I really hate this play. The playside EMU DT reads the pull over him and pulls himself, avoiding Lewan's block and turning himself into an extra defender. EMU LB gets outside Barnum, another takes on Molk, and there is nowhere for Toussaint to go. Pulling DT(!) makes a TFL. RPS -2.

M35

3

2

Ace trips bunch

1

1

3

4-3 even

Run

Pitch sweep

Smith

11

I called this from the stands: again, this is a play that has no relation to anything M has previously run and almost gives itself away by formation. Still works. It does so because Huyge(+2) gets playside of the playside DE and when he threatens to come under to flow down the line he adjusts beautifully to kick him away, which also gets rid of the playside DT. A sad Jackson(-1) cut block just gets him out of the play and EMU is flowing hard down the line, but Smith(+2) reads all this and cuts behind it, then jukes a safety for a good chunk more.

RUN+: Smith(2), Huyge(2)

RUN-: Jackson

M46

1

10

Shotgun trips

1

0

4

4-3 under

Run

Zone read dive

Smith

12

Good kickout of playside DT by Barnum(+1); Molk(+1) gets out on the MLB and nails him. Omameh can't get playside of his DT, which would be hard; Smith(+2) is able to slice through the narrow gap that results. Secondary converges.

RUN+: Smith(2), Barnum, Molk

RUN-:

M44

1

10

I-Form twins

2

1

2

4-4 under

Pass

PA Post

Roundtree

Inc

Motion into twins reveals man. Robinson makes a terrible decision to throw into double coverage when he had acres of space to run in and maybe Koger if he really insisted on throwing. Pass is broken up. (BR, 0, protection 2/2)

M44

2

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

4-4 over

Run

QB power

Robinson

5

Late motion seems to confuse EMU D. Koger(+1) gets a good seal on the playside DE. Dileo(-1) whiffs on the nickelback and this forces Denard(+1) to cut outside, evading the guy. Bounce robs Odoms of an angle on his guy; that guy runs Robinson OOB.

RUN+: Robinson, Koger

RUN-: Dileo

M49

3

5

Shotgun trips TE

1

0

4

Okie?

Pass

Post

Gallon

38

EMU blitzes for five rushers; picked up. With a great pocket, Denard's first read is Gallon on a post similar to the one he missed against ND late. This time he zings it into Gallon for tons of yards. (DO, 3, protection 3/3)

O13

1

10

Shotgun trips TE

1

1

3

4-3 even

Run

Zone read dive

Toussaint

6

Momentary double from Molk helps Barnum(+1) destroy the playside DT; Molk(+2) then gets out on the LB. That's basically the play. Omameh does okay with the other DT, but he flows down the line. Toussaint has room afforded by the annihilation of the other dude and does all he can to hit that hole fast for good yardage.

RUN+: Molk(2), Barnum

RUN-:

O7

2

4

Shotgun trips TE

1

1

3

4-3 even

Run

QB power

Robinson

3

It seems like these guys are way more mechanical on the power than they are on the zone. Here Omameh pulls around. Okay, fine. Barnum blocks down on the playside DT, he gets a little penetration, Omameh has a tough angle to get around. He does. And then he runs right into Lewan for no friggin reason, because Lewan is blocking a dude and EMU has two LB/S types to the inside. Slow your roll, block a dude. Lewan's excellent push and Denard keeping his balance after being hit gets this near the sticks.

Impatient, I see. This week the run breakdown is close: 7.8 yards from the shotgun and 7.2 from under center. Vincent Smith helped by ripping off a 38-yarder from an ace three-wide set. Here's another number: Michigan averaged 11.2 yards per carry on the zone read, which was called 15(!) times. A full breakdown follows.

Down G: 3 carries at 18 YPC thanks to long Smith run, 12 yarder from Robinson.

Pin and pull zone: 5 carries at 1.2 YPC. I may have confused some of these with Down G. I picked up an ID point in the comments of the linked Smart Football post so I'll be better about it in the future.

Pitch sweep: 1 for 11 yards.

Iso: 2 for 6 YPC.

Traditional QB draws: 3 for 8.3 YPC, though the bulk of those were on a "complete fiasco" Denard turned into magic.

Power: 12 for 3.1 YPC. This includes a single "power read"

Inside zone read: 15 at 11.2 YPC.

Opponents' sudden inability to defend the zone read, which seemed like a solved problem, remains mystifying. Borges isn't doing anything fancy: the TE flares out to hit the playside LB, they run inside zone, and four times a game Robinson has no one covering him. Is it a combo with all the (unsuccessful) power from the shotgun? I don't know yet, but I'll try to figure it out.

So, here you make the complaints about MANBALL.

The numbers speak for themselves, I think. I'll look into the possibility the heavy dose of power is opening up the zone reads.

And Denard?

Here we must—

I'm afraid. Hold me.

chart.

[Hey: sorry about dropping the table legend out the past couple weeks. It returns. Hit the UFR FAQ for a fuller explanation of the abbreviations, but basically the first five columns are regular old throws in decreasing order of quality (dead on, catchable, marginal, inaccurate, and bad read) and the remainder are exceptional events that do not result in a catchable pass downfield (throwaway, batted, pressure, scramble).

UPDATE: I actually put the legend back in this time. Seriously. Hover over column headers.]

Opponent

DO

CA

MA

IN

BR

TA

BA

PR

SCR

DSR

2009, All Of It

1

7

6(2)

3(1)

4

4

-

-

?

44%

Notre Dame

3

25(8)

3(1)

4

1

-

4(1)

2

-

71%

Michigan State

4

14(3)

1

7(1)

1

-

-

2

2

68%

Iowa

1

11(3)

2

3(1)

2

-

1

-

-

64%

Illinois

4

9(1)

1

4

1

3

1(1)

-

-

60%

Purdue

2

12(1)

1

3

1

1

1

3

-

68%

WMU '11

-

6(1)

4

3

1

-

-

-

1

56%

Notre Dame '11

6

7(1)

1

6(1)

5

1

1

1

-

50%

EMU '11

1

10(1)

-

5

1

-

1

1

1

59%

Denard didn't throw into double coverage all day—he only did it once—but that downfield accuracy remains troublesome. I don't think Denard got a lot of help from certain playcalls, about which more later, but the issues are still there.

He could have gotten some help from his receivers, though:

This Game

Totals

Player

0

1

2

3

0

1

2

3

Hemingway

-

-

-

-

2

-

3/4

1/2

Roundtree

1

-

0/1

-

1

1/2

1/2

2/2

Odoms

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Grady

-

-

-

-

2

-

0/1

2/2

Gallon

1

-

-

3/3

1

-

-

7/7

J. Robinson

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Dileo

-

-

-

1/1

-

0/1

1/1

-

Jackson

-

-

-

1/1

-

-

-

-

Koger

1

-

0/1

2/2

2

1/1

1/2

3/3

Moore

-

-

-

-

2

-

-

-

Toussaint

-

-

-

0/1

-

-

-

0/1

Shaw

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Smith

-

-

-

0/1

-

-

-

2/3

Hopkins

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

McColgan

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

1/1

Two flat drops and two failures to make help-me-out-here catches in 11 opportunities to catch a ball is a drag, man. Pick up three of the four and Denard's day looks a little less turrible statistically.

The OL:

Offensive Line

Player

+

-

T

Notes

Lewan

13

3

10

The most natural fit in donkey hating offense

Barnum

10

5

5

Struggled early (was –5 at one point) and recovered well

Molk

16

2

14

Ass kicking day.

Omameh

10

7

3

Pulling not a specialty

Huyge

9

2

7

Surprising amount of power run over him.

Schofield

1

-

-

A few plays.

Mealer

-

-

-

DNP

Moore

-

2

-2

One major whiff

Koger

7

4

3

Pretty good.

TOTAL

66

25

41

The kind of numbers you put up after rushing for 376 yards. Also a TEAM –1 in here.

Backs

Player

+

-

T

Notes

Robinson

18

8

10

Fumble was –3 and ultimately harmless.

Gardner

-

-

-

Not charted

Toussaint

3

-

3

Still think he's better than Smith…

Shaw

-

2

-2

Hardly got a carry. Whiffed one block.

Smith

9

-

9

…but my numbers don't. Caveat: Smith –3 pass blocking.

Hopkins

-

-

-

Doghouse

Rawls

-

1

-1

Comical missed block

McColgan

1

-

-

Early iso, then gone.

TOTAL

31

9

22

Contributions from non-Denards: can they last?

Receivers

Player

+

-

T

Notes

Hemingway

2

-

2

One good block.

Odoms

2

-

2

I'm so mad about the video. Need moar mountain goat.

Gallon

1

-

1

--

Roundtree

2

-

2

AAAH block on one Denard keeper

Grady

-

-

-

--

Jackson

-

1

-1

weak cut

Dileo

-

1

-1

--

TOTAL

7

2

5

Productive downfield.

Metrics

Player

+

-

T

Notes

Protection

15

6

71%

Smith 3, Barnum 1, Omameh 1, Huyge 1

RPS

16

17

-1

not worried about this vs EMU

That's the usual crushing day you'd expect an OL to have when you average 7.5 YPC against an EMU-type opponent. The big takeaway above is Vincent Smith.

I thought you were all like "no, Vincent Smith, go away, be a complementary player, boo Vincent Smith, boo"?

You are exceptionally aggressive this year, fictional alter-ego. As to your question, well, yeah, kinda. I mean, these are the kind of holes he was offered:

It takes vision to find the offensive linemen on plays like this, not the hole. He still seems to be moving in slow motion to me, though on one run—this one, actually—it looks like he's outrunning the safety as the guy completes his pursuit. I'm a bit concerned he won't be able to get the corner or into the secondary against teams faster than the Eagles.

That said, he did pick up a lot of positives in nine carries (some were for blocking) and he seems to remain healthy. I like Toussaint better—I think he's got more upside—but Smith's earned a hunk of the carries. Let the two of them fight it out on the field.

Are you less of a sourpuss about the offensive design now?

I'm not exactly happy that we can't run from under center against the likes of Eastern Michigan, but I have to admit my reaction to the pro-style aspects of the first quarter was a lot like watching Jonathan Bornstein in a pre-World Cup friendly: if it's going to be bad I want it to be so bad that not even Bob Bradley thinks it's a good idea to keep it up when things count for real*. Twenty-six Denard carries later that seems established.

*[If we're extending this metaphor to its logical conclusion, the pro-style will be forced onto the field by events beyond the coaches' control during the Big Ten season and be surprisingly serviceable before being exiled to the dustbin of history.]

So… somewhat. I'm still mystified why they keep running this pin and pull zone, which seems incredibly vulnerable to slants and the like and doesn't seem to, like, work. Ever. It's a play that gets to the outside. I know the zone stretch is like drinking the wrong kind of light beer made from rice and by Europeans, but we're good at drinking those.

And then, you know, it's like… I'm just…

This should never happen. Michigan should not allow opponents to align like this without putting a bubble in their face. They'd run Smith for five, which is good, I guess, but there's an obvious risk of not getting that five that is not there if you throw the bubble. Lloyd threw the bubble. It's okay!

And then I'm all like just you know…

This ended up being a Gallon tunnel screen for zero yards when just throwing it to the dude is a first down. Tunnel screens may work in offenses where you have a bunch of guys roaring upfield because they need pass rush. In this offense you have a bunch of guys being extraordinarily careful not to give Denard rushing lanes and always extra guys in the box. I mean…

…that's not good eats. Okay, this was a zone blitz that got lucky, but they gave you a first down by alignment. Take the first down! Don't throw screens into the box when there are extra guys in the box! Death to the tunnel screen!

JOIN THE TUNNEL SCREEN LIBERATION SOCIETY
WE'RE WORKING ON THE COLOR SCHEME

So by "somewhat" you mean not at all, then.

These are admittedly nits. If you're ever going to RPS yourself into a bloody forehead it should be against Eastern, and Michigan didn't even do that thanks to everyone's inexplicable ability to defend a zone read.

The thing that concerns me for the immediate future is the grab-bag nature of the offense. Many of the misdirection plays not copped from last year's offense (ie oh noes) are not actually alternatives to the things we actually run. The throwback screen against ND is a great example. That played off our offense's tendency to… roll the pocket from under center on first and ten? That worked once. It won't work consistently.

The best example of this is Michigan's rollout play action from the shotgun, which is an exact replica of what Rodriguez used to do. The problem: it uses stretch action and Michigan's stretch count this year is… zero. If you see stretch blocking it has been 100% PA this year. Eastern was wise to this.

Usual disclaimers apply: Borges is a smart dude. Dragging the throwback screen out did work. I enjoy the coordinator pressers so, so hard.

Heroes?

Most of the offensive line with special commendation to Molk and Lewan. Ground Denard. Vincent Smith.

Goats?

Air Denard.

What does it mean for SDSU and the future?

We keep moving more towards a spread offense that uses Denard's legs to get receivers open enough for Denard's arms to hit them. "Moving towards" might be a understating it after Robinson had 26 carries for 198 yards against Eastern. In retrospect, I kind of think the odd decision to have Denard out there running with a 28-3 lead on EMU was less about getting the offense practice and more about getting Borges practice.

So, expect Michigan to come out next week with Denard's legs as the focus early; SDSU will be an opponent to respect for at least 45 minutes and probably 60. Borges knows Long pretty well but Long doesn't know what Borges will do with Denard, largely because I'm not sure Borges does. I doubt we'll see stuff from under center until the second quarter. I'm hoping we see more pieces that fit together this week.

Long term, this is still Denard's offense, which means Borges has to get him in his comfort zone throwing. They also have to either tighten up their power game or consider wussy basketball on grass, because the manball is not operational yet.

if you want me to take your fictional alter-ego out back and teach it some manners. I agree with you, about this week's fictional alter-ego's aggessiveness, and if I need to go Jim "Chrissie" Everett on alter-ego's ass, I am fictionally down with that.

This is a zone read, I believe (but what the hell do I know?). The RB portion of the play is designed to go between Barnum and Lewan. Barnum and Molk scoop the NT, and Barnum heads out to block the LB. Lewan destroys the outside end and the TE does a fine job on his OLB.

At :35 (see the UM Offense vs. EMU Defense Every Snap video) you'll see a gaping hole between Barnum and Lewan. Only the safety will have a chance to tackle, or the CB once he turns off the reciever. This is big yardage.

Toussaint instead, inexplicably, turns to his right, and straight into the only defender unblocked (on purpose) in the entire front 7 (EDIT: it's actually 8 on this play). He's tackled and falls forward for 4 yards.

I can't imagine making a decision and a cut in a matter of a few seconds, but that's what RB's are supposed to do. Moreso, if he just hits the hole he's supposed to go into, this is a huge gainer. Instead he goes off-book and right into trouble. Not only do we need a RB who can make his own yards, we need one who can take what RPS and the OL are giving us.

They're similar plays, Tunnel is to the inside and Bubble to the outside. Brian's calling for a bubble because (like in my picture above) there is a lot of space between the defenders and the receiver, and in some of the pictures our blockers outnumber defenders. So why run to the middle of the field where there are more defenders?

and not to the boundary? There must be some master strategy at work here, but it just seems that the tunnel allows for more pursuers than the bubble. When a tunnel screen works, it still seems like the receiver has to get through a bunch of traffic. When a bubble works, it is a loss of contain by the CB to the edge. One just seems easier than the other. Would appreciate any clarification of why the tunnel would be preferred.

like a traditional tailback screen, only with a WR. more like in this picture:

The idea is for the O-line to feign-block/release the D linemen and get to the 2nd level, just like they do on a normal halfback screen. Remember how Smith had a convoy of blockers for his TD against ND? (granted, a few missed blocks) that's the idea with a tunnel screen. If you have NCAA 12 there is a "WR screen" play in the Michigan playbook that is exactly this, I'll look for that diagram online...

Interesting theory when stating: 'In retrospect, I kind of think the odd decision to have Denard out there running with a 28-3 lead on EMU was less about getting the offense practice and more about getting Borges practice.'

This is the only sane argument as to why Denard was still out there (and wasn't passing it).

I wish we had passing routes where WRa could "sit" in a zone giving sensed a stationary target. mSU and others do this a lot. Instead, we ask denied to hit moving slot ninjas running full speed. Just seems like less room for error to me.

FWIW, I counted Denard's taking 11 hard shots on Pahokee's video, plays where defenders hit him either from the front side with force or drove him into the turf from behind. Might be worth keeping track of as the year goes on. I'd guess thats equivalent to a pocket qb under a heavy rush.

It almost looks like he is running an open audition for whatever works. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to what he is running against teams we should dominate. We don't seem to be running the combo routes like last year or the stretch play that predicates the stretch PA. Every Pop Warner team in America that runs an option has a couple of fullback dives to keep the D honest. We aren't even trying the stretch equivalent.

I, for one, am encouraged by Borges's interest in the zone read. The insistence on the I-formation in the ND game, for one, felt so forced to me that it was uncomfortable to watch. Denard and Co know the zone read offense better than most coaches so why not let them run it more than not? Mix in other stuff (I do like the 2-TE, single RB look sometimes) and you've got yourself a well-rounded offense.

My fears about the new coordinator before the season started appear to be unfounded - maybe, like Brian says, Borges is still learning how to use Denard properly.

I think the tunnel screen works great when there are blitzing linebackers and a natural tunnel opens up, but that isn't happening with Denard at QB. The bubble has been very open, hell, they didn't even need to run a bubble, they could have just tossed it to the guy like Carr used to do and like you said. Just give it to a receiver 1 on 1 with space and let him make some plays and get the linebackers moving laterally. The misdirection alone will slow their roll to the RBs.

I'm still not sure they aren't just saving it, I mean it's an obvious play call but might work on someone like MSU if they haven't seen it on Michigan's film. It may be a later installation or something. Really, I'm just fishing for a decent reason because it was blantantly open on multiple occassions.

Theory on the zone reads: Opposing coaches are not preparing their teams for them in anticipation of the Michigan game because the main thing that filters into people's heads about the coaching change is "no more RR offense." They used to double and triple up on the preparation for it because either Michigan ran the zone read effectively or it had no running game at all. Now the zone read is something Borges likes to use as a crutch when the other stuff isn't getting the results, as opposed to the foundation of the whole offense.

Not only do I agree, I'd take it one step further. RR's offense was one concept utilized many different ways. But still only one dimension. If you were playing Michigan you watched the tape and one week could do a fair job defending what was the offense.
Now we have 30 other plays as well to prepare for based on a wholly different theory of football. Our opponent wants to spend all week learning to defend ZR? Fine we'll MANBALL you to death.
Right now opponents seem to be picking the Borges offense poison. After EMU, maybe they won't. One of the two styles will work if we can execute.

tell the "relevant person" who gets back in touch with you to go do some further review of 17 U.S.C. Section 107.

"Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include —

(1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;

(2) the nature of the copyrighted work;

(3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and

(4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors."

The distinction between commercial vs. educational purposes in (1) is the major obstacle here, I think. As this site is assumedly set up as a for-profit endeavor, it will be more difficult to argue that the use of video for the UFRs is not for commercial purposes.

That said, schools like the University of Phoenix are for-profit entities (I think) and I presume that Thought Equity Motion would not deal with them in the same manner. Maybe those entities are able to strike some kind of arrangement with the owners of the copyrights. It probably makes sense to throw around whatever weight MGoBlog has at the U-M AD's office to get them to sign on to the argument that this site is more educational than commercial. Not sure if that's possible or not . . .

But the videos themselves aren't used to make money. Brian isn't taking large chunks of the broadcast and slapping adds on them or redistributing them for profit. Even educational institutions charge tuition. This site is free to visit.

Doesn't matter if its a for-profit endeavor. (Well, its better if its not for profit, but commercial enterprises are entitled to a fair use defense). For example, if a TV producer wants to make a documentary that uses limited film clips for commentary purposes, the fact that he expects to make a profit on that show doesn't mean he's not entitled to the fair use defense.

To clarify, <i>pure</i> commercial speech, ie advertisements, will rarely prevail on a fair use defense. But the fact that a film, website, TV show, magazine etc. is "commercial" in that it intends to turn a profit does not mean it can't claim the fair use defense. Brian is on solid ground.

This guy is a putz - he either has no clue what he's talking about, or doesn't care. Commercial endeavors are entitled to the fair use defense. It's really only <i>pure</i> commercial speech, ie advertisements, that are unlikely to prevail on a fair use claim (and even ads can sometimes win in certain circumstances).

Doesn't seem to understand the application of "factors" in a legal test. Factors are not individually controlling, and even if you concede that this blog is a commercial venture (like your local news), it doesn't mean that the use of the video snippets takes the blog out of "fair use" by any stretch. The factors must be weighed against each other, particularly when some go one way and others go in another.

For example, look at factor 3 and consider what proportion of the whole broadcast is represented by the snippets. What is the total video runtime in a typical week's UFR's? A couple of minutes from a 3 or 3.5 hour broadcast? That cuts in favor of fair use by quite a bit.

Even Factor 1 has more to it than simply educational vs. commercial (because the factor includes that consideration in no way limits it to that consideration). Secondly, is Brian using the snippets for the same purpose? The broadcast is being shown to provide the viewer a chance to see the game. The snippets are being used as illustrative of Brian's authored work.

Perhaps the easiest route forward would be to nudge Brian from "fair use" into "transformative use", which is judicially-created (i.e., not statutory) and has been imported into the first factor. That goes back to the SCOTUS decision in Campbell v. Acuff Rose music, Inc., 510 US 569 (1994). Basically, if Brian can add in just some cursory/trivial markup of the snippets, he's transformed the content into something else that supports the use for a different purpose (comment,/criticism). Maybe like one arrow with caption "watch Will Campbell" or something before the snap.

Further, look at Factor 4. What impact is Brian's use of the snippets having on the market for the original broadcast? Are people skipping watching the game because they can go to MGoBlog almost a week later and watch a handful of plays, not even the plays that most fans would consider "highlights"?

Firms like Thought Equity work like debt-collection firms: intimidation and fear. The law is not on their side in this case. I'm sure even Steven T. Joanis knows that.